About the Institute

The BIGMAP Mission

The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) will provide science-based analysis of the risks and benefits of genetically modified plant and animal products. It will provide guidance and education to help safeguard consumers and the environment.

The BIGMAP Vision

BIGMAP will be recognized as an unbiased and credible source of information on biosafety issues for genetically modified products nationally and internationally.

The Institute will provide guidance and recommendations to appropriate policy and regulatory groups, private entitites, and the public so that the best decisions can be made about genetically modified agricultural products (GMAPs) to safeguard the public and the environment. One outcome will be a widely disseminated annual report that will serve as an informative analysis and outlook on current and upcoming GMAP issues. The Institute will be the developer and the clearing house of credible information on GMAPs worldwide. A number of activities of the Biosafety Institute will also provide strong countermeasures to Agroterrorism.

The Institute will examine societal impact by including social, economic, and environmental issues of GMAPs. BIGMAP will enhance the education of students in risk and benefit analysis for successful careers in agricultural and food systems and the bioeconomy.

For more information on BIGMAP objectives, the potential of pharmaceutical crops, and biosensing, visit the following link. Read more.

Seed Science Center/BIGMAP Joint External Advisory Board

Bruce Maunder—
Dekalb, Retired
James Bair—North American Millers' Association

Jack Bobo—U.S. Department of State
Judy Chambers—IFPRI

Mike Gumina—Pioneer Supply Management

Neil Hoffman—
Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS/USDA

Gregory Jaffe— Center for Science in the Public Interest

David Lambert—Lambert & Associates

Josette Lewis—Arcadia BioSciences, Inc.

Joan O'Brien—Iowa Seed Association

Sano Shimoda—BioScience Securities, Inc.
Jitendra Srivastava—The World Bank (Retired)

M.S. Swaminathan—M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

BIGMAP Governance

BIGMAP Brochure